Ji Hyun-woo Reflects on Playing President-Elect in 'The First Lady': 'The President People Want'

Article Image

Ji Hyun-woo Reflects on Playing President-Elect in 'The First Lady': 'The President People Want'

Haneul Kwon · September 24, 2025 at 06:24

Actor Ji Hyun-woo shared his thoughts on portraying President-Elect Hyun Min-cheol in MBN's new drama series 'The First Lady'.

At the production presentation held on the afternoon of the 24th at The Link Seoul in Guro-gu, Seoul, Ji Hyun-woo discussed his role as Hyun Min-cheol, a character who rises from an orphanage and factory worker background to become president.

He revealed that he was drawn to the project because the script flowed smoothly and the character distribution was so well-balanced that every role felt like a lead.

Ji Hyun-woo described his character as someone who pursues his dreams honestly with firm beliefs. He suggested that while Hyun Min-cheol might seem frustrating at times, he embodies the presidential qualities that the public desires.

Marking his return to a mini-series after about five years, he expressed satisfaction with the ample preparation time, contrasting it with the often-rushed schedules of his previous long-running weekend dramas.

He emphasized the importance of delivering the script's extensive dialogue and lengthy scenes with sincerity, referencing the drama's slogan, 'I will do my best with sincerity.' He shared that he practiced extensively, even visiting the National Assembly building alone.

Ji Hyun-woo also noted similarities between his current character and his role in 'Awl,' stating that the idea of such a character becoming president sparked his interest and led him to approach the role with deep consideration and practice.

Ji Hyun-woo debuted as a member of the band The Nuts in 2004 before transitioning to acting, where he has since starred in numerous dramas and films. He has received recognition for his acting skills, particularly for his performances in 'Awl' and 'Young Lady and Gentleman.' With 'The First Lady,' he embarks on his first role as a politician, signaling a new acting transformation.